14Optimization Examples

For more information see Aspen Plus User Guide Chapter 22, Optimization. Use optimization to maximize or minimize a user-specified objective function by manipulating decision variables (feed stream, block input, or other input variables). he objective function can be any valid !ortran expression involving one or more flo"sheet #uantities. he tolerance of the objective function is the tolerance of the convergence block associated "ith the optimization problem. $ou have the option of imposing e#uality or ine#uality constraints on the optimization. %#uality constraints "ithin an optimization are similar to design specifications. he constraints can be any function of flo"sheet variables computed using !ortran expressions or in-line !ortran statements. $ou must specify the tolerance of the constraint. ear streams and the optimization problem can be converged simultaneously or separately. &f they are converged simultaneously, the tear stream is treated as an additional constraint. 'spen (lus solves optimization problems iteratively. )y default 'spen (lus generates and se#uences a convergence block for the optimization problem. $ou can override the convergence defaults, by entering convergence specifications on *onvergence forms. Use the +,( and *omplex methods to converge optimization problems. +ee *hapter -., *onvergence for a complete discussion of optimization convergence. he value of the manipulated variable that is provided in the +tream or )lock input is used as the initial estimate. (roviding a good estimate for the manipulated variable helps the optimization problem converge in fe"er iterations. his is especially important for optimization problems "ith a large number of varied variables and constraints. here are no results associated directly "ith an optimization problem, except the objective function. $ou can vie" the final value of the manipulated an/or sampled variables directly, on the appropriate +tream or )lock results sheets. o find the summary and iteration history of the convergence block, select the 0esults sheet of the appropriate block, located in the *onvergence *onvergence sheet. 1ptimization problems can be difficult to formulate and converge. &t is important to have a good understanding of the simulation problem before adding the complexity of optimization. he recommended procedure for creating an optimization problem is2

-. +tart "ith a simulation (instead of starting "ith optimization). here are a number of reasons for this approach2 &t is easier to detect flo"sheet errors in a simulation. $ou can get a good feel for "hat reasonable specifications are. $ou can get a good feel for a reasonable range of decision variables. $ou can get a good estimate for the tear streams.

3. (erform sensitivity analysis before optimization, to find appropriate decision variables and their ranges. 4. %valuate the solution using sensitivity analysis, to find out if the optimum is broad or narro".

Example for Maximizing Product Value

See file - Optimize.bkp

1ptimize.bkp

he value of a reactor product stream is a function of the flo" rate of the desired product, (, and the undesired byproduct, 5. 6alue 7 ( - 48 9 5 1ptimization is used to find the reaction temperature that maximizes the product value. he molar flo" rate of components ( and of 5 in stream (01: are the sample variables for the optimization. hese variables are called ( and 5, respectively. he optimization objective function is ( ( - 4895 ). he optimization problem is converged "hen ( ( - 4895 ) is at a maximum. $ou can use !ortran expressions, such as ( ( - 4895 ) in any part of the optimization problem. he reactor temperature is the manipulated variable. he optimization convergence block finds the reactor temperature that makes ( ( - 4895 ) a maximum. he manipulated variable is specified in the reactor block, just as if there "ere no optimization. he specified value is the initial estimate used by the optimization convergence block. he optimization convergence block "ill not try a temperature less than 488! or greater than ;88!, even if the solution to the objective function lies outside this range. he limits become alternative specifications, if the objective cannot be achieved. he initial estimate entered in the reactor block lies "ithin these limits. $ou do not have to specify convergence of the design specification. '+(%< (=U+ automatically generates a convergence block to converge the specification. his optimization problem does not have any constraints associated "ith it.